Police: Woman's library card fraudulently used, $1,000 in late fines

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Police are working what they say is one of the more unusual theft cases in a while. They say a woman requested a Lexington Public Lbrary card and had it mailed to a friend.

"In the time it took for the card to get there, she and this person had a falling out," said Lt. Chris Van Brackel of the Lexington Police.

So, police say, when that library card showed up, the former friend ran up quite a bill of library fines.

"She's now saying the person that lives there has taken that card and taken books out at the library and has racked up $1,000 in late fees," said Van Brackel.

According to the library website, cardholders can check out 35 items at a time. Late fees range from a nickel a day to a dollar a day or the full price of the item if it's lost. Police say the person who checked out those books could faces charges of theft by deception as well as identity theft. Library workers say the cardholder is responsible for any late fines.

"This is a very unique crime. If there's anything that's issued in your name that allows someone to buy something, rent something, get something in your name, you've got to take care of it, especially in today's day and time," said Van Brackel.

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